Feline Disease Descriptions
Rabies
Rabies is a severe, and often fatal, viral polioencephalitis that specifically affects the gray matter of the cat's brain and its central nervous system (CNS). While cats are not a natural reservoir for the disease, they can be infected by a bite from any infected mammal: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes)
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is an infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1. As with other herpes viruses, the virus is very species specific, and is only known to cause infections in domestic and wild cats. The virus can infect cats of all ages.Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is a major cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye, especially the lining of the lids and the third eyelid).
Feline Calicivirus
Feline calicivirus infection is a common respiratory disease in cats. The virus attacks the respiratory tract -- lungs and nasal passages -- the mouth, with ulceration of the tongue, the intestines, and the musculoskeletal system. It is highly communicable in un-vaccinated.
While vaccination against the calicivirus is strongly advised, vaccinations have failed to decrease the prevalence of the disease. This infection can occur in cat of any age, but young kittens older than six weeks have been found to be most susceptible.
While vaccination against the calicivirus is strongly advised, vaccinations have failed to decrease the prevalence of the disease. This infection can occur in cat of any age, but young kittens older than six weeks have been found to be most susceptible.
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), also known as Feline infectious enteritis, Feline parvoviral enteritis, feline ataxia, feline distemper, or cat plague, is a viral infection affecting cats, both domesticated and wild feline species. It is caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of both type 2 canine parvovirus and mink enteritis. Once contracted, it is highly contagious and can be fatal to the affected cat. The name panleukopenia comes from the low white blood cell count (leucocytes) exhibited by affected animals.
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can cause diseases which can be lethal. One disease caused by this virus is a form of cancer of the blood cells called Lymphoma.
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